Im looking at my next rifle, and I am interested in a 45-70. My question is what brand and model to go with, barrel length etc. So any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

What you going to shoot with it, and where?

Not a hundred percent on the what, however I do live in western North Dakota hills and open country. That is my primary hunting range.

Any number of ways to go.
Will you be using it for hunting, cowboy action, BPCR?




45-70 1895g ported guide gun, 18.5" barrel

I bought one of the original guide guns, blue/walnut with 18.5" ported barrel Some ported/braked rifles ruin your ear drums, not this. The porting does much to soften the recoil.

I have had mine almost 10 years. I load it with 53 gr. IMR 3031 and 400 gr speers. Avg velocity around 1700 fps.

Here is a typical target shot at 100 yds. This was shot off the bench at the Pearland shooters club on 12/23/07. I planned to shoot it when I hunted between Christmas and New Year. I wanted to check zero. The first two shot were to check for group. The third shot was after I had made adjustments down and to the right. Not to shabby for a dead stock lever gun with untouched trigger.


Checking for zero. Shots 1& 2 are for group. Shot 3 is for zero. 100 yds, off the bench.

Anyway, it flat works. Kills stuff DRT, and you can eat right up to the bullet hole
GWB


Worked on this whitetail buck


worked on this axis doe


worked on these hogs


even works on varmints

Best

GWB

Well, that didn't help much..

[bleep], get a 1886 with 26" octagonal barrel, and shoot up the countryside until you figger out what you're shooting at.

I like the pre-2010 Marlin Guide Gun as well. Pre 2010 is Marlin made instead of the Remington abortions. Rumor has it that Remington is very close to working out all the kinks, but for now I still shop used on Marlin lever actions.

Well rancho glad to see you are a cheery fellow. At any rate I guess the easiest would be for WT Deer, hogs in Texas maybe. And on the occasion that I feel like changing it up a bit maybe even a yote or two. So I will be using it for hunting, not much else. I am only looking for advice and pointers on what to look for in the rifle for a 45-70 cal rifle.

Or even a 45-90 1885 Highwall...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=345496123

Pre 2009 GBL Marlin.




Shoots ok groups off the tailgate of the truck...


Mostly using Sierra 300g HP, shoots flat and accurate enough for pigs, goats and deer a little bit further than 200y.

Be a real man & get a Sharps. Learn to cast your own bullets & load your cartridges with BP then go forth.
Bear in Fairbanks

I'd go with the JM lever rifle with the 22" barrel.

That seems like a whole different can of worms, lol. It would be a lot of fun and a huge learning experience.

This describes my 444. Perfect forest gun in every way. Not a 45-70 but a great thumper nonetheless.

A used 1895 Marlin was my choice. No ports. Dropped a 6x6 bull with it, straight down.

The .45-70 is on top.

Never had much use for the Guide Guns, but the 1895 CB by Marlin is a winner. 500 grain paper patch will thump all the rest of these thumpers. Tang sight, screw the scopes. Dinosaur killer.

Go Thump Something (GTS)